Persian kabob menus use words that most diners know by sight and not by meaning: kubideh, barg, soltani. Shishkabob Mediterranean’s menu in Sunnyvale lists all three, plus chicken, lamb, salmon and mixed kabobs, so a first order can feel like guesswork. This guide explains what each name means, which plate suits which appetite, how to pair it with sides, and how to order direct.
How the kabob list is organized
On the Shishkabob ordering page, the kabob plates sit under Entrees/Main Dishes, and the menu numbers them, from the Shish Kabob Combo to the Salmon Kabob. A separate category, Kabobs Per Skewer, sells single skewers. Some of those are noted on the menu as skewers only, with no rice, so check which list you are ordering from.
The restaurant’s website calls its plates halal and its meats halal, and describes its catering trays as halal-certified. The page descriptions are short, so where a detail is missing, such as what comes with a plate, ask the staff or call (408) 685-2037.
Kubideh: the ground-beef kabob
Kubideh is the ground-beef kabob, the one in the Single Kubideh Kabob and Double Kubideh Kabob entrees. The menu describes the single as 1 ground beef. Wikipedia lists kabab koobideh as one of the most popular dishes in Persian restaurants, so it is the usual starting point for a first order.
Order Kubideh if:
- It is your first Persian kabob and you want the most recognizable one on the list.
- You want ground beef rather than a steak cut.
- You want more of the same: the Double Kubideh Kabob is the larger version of the same idea.
Menu card — Double Kubideh Kabob
Listed under Entrees/Main Dishes on the Shishkabob ordering page. The menu lists the single version as 1 ground beef.
Barg: the fillet mignon kabob
Barg is a different kabob. Wikipedia describes kabab barg as a Persian-style barbecued, marinated kebab made from beef tenderloin, lamb sirloin or, less commonly, chicken breast, usually served with grilled tomato. Shishkabob’s version is Barg (Fillet Mignon), listed as 1 fillet.
Order Barg if:
- You want a steak cut instead of ground meat.
- You like to taste the meat itself without much on the plate.
- You are happy to ask the staff what comes alongside the fillet.
Menu card — Barg (Fillet Mignon)
Listed under Entrees/Main Dishes on the Shishkabob ordering page as 1 fillet.
Soltani: Barg and Kubideh on one plate
If you cannot choose between the two, order the plate named after both. Wikipedia describes soltani as one kabab barg and one kabab koobideh, named for a meal in the style of a sultan. Shishkabob lists Soltani (Fillet Mignon Combo) as 1 fillet and kubideh, and also offers a version with chicken: Soltani (Fillet Mignon Combo) with Chicken, listed as 1 fillet mignon and 1 chicken breast.
Menu card — Soltani (Fillet Mignon Combo)
Listed under Entrees/Main Dishes on the Shishkabob ordering page as 1 fillet and kubideh.
If you want chicken, lamb, salmon or a mix
The menu is wider than beef. The entrees include Chicken Kabob (1 boneless chicken breast), Lamb Kabob (1 fillet), Salmon Kabob and Mix Kabob, listed with beef, chicken, onions, bell pepper and kubideh. Combo versions pair a kabob with kubideh. Wraps are on the menu too: Chicken Breast Wrap, Kubideh (Ground Beef) Wrap, Lamb Wrap and Falafel (Vegetarian) Wrap, each made with lavash bread, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and yogurt sauce.
For anyone who does not eat meat, the Vegetarian Plate lists hummus, rice, salad and falafel, and Veggies & Basmati Rice lists bell peppers, tomato, onions and zucchini.
Starters, sides and a drink
Round out a kabob plate with items from the same menu:
- Hummus with Lavash Bread or Kashkebademjan (eggplant) to start.
- Mastokhiar, a cucumber-yogurt dip, or Shirazi (Persian Salad) with chopped cucumber, tomato and onions.
- Doogh Non Carbonated or Persian Tea to drink.
- Persian Ice Cream Sandwich or Baklava to finish.
Ordering for a group
For a table or an office, the ordering page has a Trays category: Kubideh Tray (10 skewers of kubideh), Chicken Tray (5 skewers of chicken breast) and Beef & Chicken Tray (5 kubideh and 3 chicken), plus dip, salad and rice trays. The catering page says the restaurant serves Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Santa Clara. Ask how many people each tray feeds, since the menu does not say.
Hours, location and how to order
Shishkabob Mediterranean Cuisine is at 903 E Duane Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, phone (408) 685-2037. The website lists Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM.
Order through Shishkabob’s own page rather than a third-party app. The restaurant receives the full order with no app commission.
FAQ
What is the difference between kubideh and barg?
Kubideh (koobideh) is the ground-beef kabob; the Shishkabob menu describes Single Kubideh Kabob as 1 ground beef. Barg is a marinated cut of fillet: the menu lists Barg (Fillet Mignon) as 1 fillet. Wikipedia describes kabab barg as a Persian-style barbecued, marinated kebab.
What is Soltani?
Soltani pairs one kabab barg with one kabab koobideh, according to Wikipedia, and the name means a meal in the style of a sultan. On the Shishkabob menu, Soltani (Fillet Mignon Combo) is listed as 1 fillet and kubideh.
Is the food at Shishkabob Mediterranean halal?
The restaurant’s website describes its plates as halal, its catering trays as halal-certified and its meats as halal. The ordering page does not carry a halal label, so ask the staff if you want to confirm anything specific.
Can I order kabobs for pickup or delivery in Sunnyvale?
The Shishkabob ordering page is the direct route. It showed ordering closed until 11:00 AM when this was written, so check the page for current ordering hours.
Where is Shishkabob Mediterranean Cuisine?
It is at 903 E Duane Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, phone (408) 685-2037. The website lists hours as Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday, 11 AM to 4 PM.
Order your Persian kabob at Shishkabob
Choose kubideh, barg or soltani, add a side, and order straight from the restaurant. Ordering direct means Shishkabob gets the full order with no third-party commission.
